Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Review

There are sleeping pads that weigh everywhere from a few ounces to a few pounds. When I got into backpacking I thought it would be worthwhile to get a thick inflatable pad that would be puncture resistant and very comfortable. The pad I initially bought was the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core. Today that pad has been changed over to the Air Core Ultra. I’ll do my best to compare them alongside

Specifications

21 ounces – regular

Double ripstop nylon

synthetic insulation

72″x 20″x 3.5″ – regular

4″ x 8″ packed size

4.1 R Value

So going off of the specifications we have a pretty typical sleeping pad in the market these days. I got it on a decent sale and thought like most people that I needed a cushy air pad to get a good nights sleep.

Reasons to buy

Comfort

If you have tried out closed cell pads and even lighter pads such as the NeoAir and don’t find them comfortable then I would suggest this pad. I found that the Insulated Air Core did one thing right. Its comfortable, if you like the pad firm then you can easily inflate it to a point where it is firm. You can also keep it soft because the value is easy to use.

Durability

Some people bash different air pads because in a very cold situation a leak can have serious implications. Though I agree that a secondary pad should be brought for those extreme conditions, I found this pad to be quite durable. I have used this pad on services everywhere from the desert to the Appalachian rocks. I had one experience with a slow leak which was easily patched using the kit that they provided.

R Value

Now this isn’t the highest R value, it is still high. This would easily be used for all 3 season trips and I would even use this pad in the winter assuming it isn’t getting below 0 degrees F. You sacrifice some weight by going with the higher R value but it gives you more flexibility if you don’t want to own a bunch of pads.

Why I switched after less than 50 nights on this pad

I used this pad for about two years. In the course of these two years, I slept on it a total of probably 50 nights. I ultimately switched during my thru hike of the Appalachian trail mostly due to weight. The weight of my pad was 24 ounces, I switched to a Thermarest closed cell pad and saved nearly a pound. In addition to the weight savings, after blowing that pad up every single night I became annoyed. I didn’t want the hassle of blowing up that pad all the time, so getting rid of an inflatable pad was the right option. I never looked back to the Insulated Air Core after switching. The first few nights weren’t as comfortable but I found as with other things you tend to adapt.

Summary

If you’re in the market for a sleeping pad then I would say in 75% of cases, this isn’t the one for you. I would make a checklist to see if this pad is for you.

Do want to do a bit of winter backpacking?

Do you only want one pad so you don’t have to switch?

Is an inflatable pad necessary?

If you want these three things then I would say that the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core isn’t a bad fit for you. If you’re looking to save every ounce in the summer then definitely look elsewhere to the NeoAir or a closed cell pad.

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

6.6

Price

7.0/10

Durability

7.0/10

Comfort

8.5/10

Weight

4.0/10

Pros

R Value of 4.1

Very comfortable

Reasonable price point

Cons

Hi, I'm Mark or as I went by on the trail "Ounce." I began backpacking in Pennsylvania at the age of around 18 and quickly knew it was something I loved and wanted to spend time doing. I learned a lot over the course of the first few years of backpacking still continue to learn. So far, my longest trail completed is the Appalachian Trail which I did in 2017. The mix of my background and love for hiking lead me start writing about my experiences.

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